Walker's Promise
a pledge for parents
What is Walker’s Promise?
A pledge for parents: we promise to keep screens* out of our kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms.
Who is Walker?
Walker Montgomery is a 16-year-old football player from Mississippi who died by suicide after a “cute girl” messaged him on Instagram around midnight. That “cute girl” was actually an online predator who manipulated and threatened Walker. From the first DM to the time we lost Walker, it was less than 3 hours.
Why is Walker’s Promise important?
Walker’s dad believes this is one of the most practical guardrails to keep our kids safe online. And, after 10 years of recommending that parents don’t allow screens in bedrooms or bathrooms, we’ve seen countless ways it protects kids.
*Screens include anything with online access including, without limitation: phones, smart TVs, school-issued Chromebooks, tablets, X-Box, PlayStations, etc.
What if I already allow phones in bedrooms and bathrooms, but I want to sign Walker’s Promise and start over?
It’s never too late to start, and we have you covered. Sign the pledge and listen to this podcast before rolling out this new rule to your kids:
My kid has a phone with no guidelines. How do I go back?
Should this change depending on their age?
At nextTalk, we believe your guidelines should change as your kids grow.
Step 1: With young children and even when you first start introducing electronics and online access, no devices in bedrooms or bathrooms ever. Sign Walker’s Promise!
Step 2: After your child earns a phone and you have NO PROBLEMS for quite some time, your teen may earn taking their phone in bedroom during the day with the door open. Still no phones in bathrooms or at bedtime!! Stand firm and stay true to Walker’s Promise.
Step 3: Prior to your kid moving out (typically 17+), catch your teen doing something awesome to earn their phone in bedroom at night … assuming you have a healthy relationship, no problems with lying and your teen knows the red flags for online predators and other dangers. By 18, your teen should be flying solo!
Note: Keeping phones out of our kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms is one practical guardrail to put up. Please remember, though … guardrails and guidelines are good, BUT it’s really about the relationship. It is imperative to build a culture of open communication in your home. Do both! Rules & Relationship are both important to keep our kids safe.
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LISTEN TO WALKER’S DAD HERE:
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